A dead oarfish, a rare deep-sea creature that symbolizes impending disaster in Japanese folklore, was recently found along the Southern California coast, marking the second sighting in just a few months. The oarfish, measuring 9 to 10 feet, was recovered in Encinitas, smaller than the one previously found in San Diego. Both specimens will undergo necropsies to determine cause of death and be preserved for study at Scripps’ Marine Vertebrate Collection.
Scientists are puzzled by the recent sightings, suggesting changes in ocean conditions and increased numbers of oarfish off the coast as possible reasons. The belief that oarfish sightings signal an impending earthquake dates back to Japanese folklore, where they are considered messengers from the sea god Ryūjin. However, there is no scientific evidence linking oarfish sightings to earthquakes.
The majestic oarfish typically reside at depths of 700 to 3,280 feet below the surface, rarely coming to the surface. Sightings of oarfish have been reported worldwide, including in California, Maine, New Jersey, Taiwan, and Japan. If encountered on a Southern California beach, lifeguards should be alerted, and contact with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography should be made.
The recent sightings provide a unique opportunity for scientists to learn more about this elusive species and the impact of changing ocean conditions. While the connection between oarfish sightings and earthquakes remains a folklore belief, researchers continue to study these mysterious creatures to uncover more about their biology and life history.
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